Adjustable shelving



Nov. 21, 1967 R. SQUIRES I 3,353,507

ADJUSTABLE SHELVING Filed July ll, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

,yhuweff GEMGEESQU KE BY Nov. 21, 1967 R, s ulREs v3,353,507

ADJUSTABLE SHELVING Filed July 11 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. film/(65A? J U/RES BY Aiforneq United States Patent 3,353,507 ADJUSTABLE SHELVING George R. Squires, 19 Heathclitf Road, Rumson, NJ. 07760 Filed July 11, 1966, Ser. No. 564,250 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-107) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In knockdown shelf construction, a shelf reinforced along its longitudinal edges by downturned flanges and supported at the corners thereof by corner brackets which extend under main surface portions of the shelf adjacent the longitudinal edges providing support therefor, the corner brackets also supporting the shelf from the vertical uprights, and the shelf having lips at the ends thereof supported by end brackets so that bowing in the middle of the shelf is prevented, the combination of supporting features permitting the use of a thin gauge sheet metal construction of shelf, corner brackets, and end brackets.

The present invention relates to adjustable shelving and more particularly to uprights and shelf structures which may be readily assembled into various arrangements.

Various shelving arrangements of the above-mentioned type have been provided, invariably all of which arrangements either required cross braces in order to impart sturdiness to the structure or otherwise required complex shelf and bracket structures to impart strength and rigidity to the assembled shelving structure. Previous vertically adjustable, shelving whose design for rigidity was based on either of the above-mentioned approaches, were more expensive to construct and more difficult andtime consuming to erect since more complex and at times requiring various tools and also could not be readily changed as to shelf height or number of shelves or their particular arrangement.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide improved adjustable shelving which eliminates cross braces but which is rigid, and yet can be readily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.

, It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved supporting surface arrangement for adjustable shelving structure comprising a plurality of shelves which are fitted together and adjustably supported by vertical uprights.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a knockdown shelf construction a shelf which is detachably secured to vertical uprights in interlocked relationship by corner brackets afiixed to the shelf, the corner brackets also serving the further function of reinforcing the shelf.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved knockdown shelf construction which is capable of being readily expanded by arranging similar sections side-byside and/ or in tandem.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide supporting means for the ends of shelves adjustably supported by vertical uprights.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view partly in section of the shelf and its supporting and reinforcing corner bracket.

FIGURE 2 is a section of the shelf taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the shelf taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the supporting and reinforcing bracket in more detail.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a set of vertical uprights of one type positioned to accept for assembly a plurality of shelves of the type shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section of a vertical upright taken on the line 55 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is perspective view partly in section of an alternative form of vertical upright which may be used in the shelf assembly.

FIGURE 7 is a cross section of the vertical upright taken on line 7-7 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the end bracket positioned for support and increased rigidity under each end of the shelf shown in FIGURE 1, the end bracket being interlocked between the pair of vertical uprights at each end of the shelf.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view partly in section showing in assembled relationship, the shelf with its supporting and reinforcing corner bracket, the end bracket and a vertical upright.

Proceeding now to FIGURE 1 there is seen a shelf 1 which is formed from sheet metal. The shelf 1 comprises a flat portion 4 which provides the support surface. The shelf has longitudinal downturned flanges 5, which are turned under to form the underturned flanges 6. The flanges 6 do not extend to the end of the sheet since this would interfere with the corner brackets 3 which are fixedly positioned along the corner formed by surfaces 4 and 5. This longitudinal structure is provided for stiffening the shelf 1 so that thinner sheet metal can still be used in the construction of the shelf.

The shelf 1 is required to be supported from the vertical uprights '7, 8, 9 and 10. The corner brackets 3 aids in this purpose. Corner bracket 3 is also a shelf corner sup port, and is formed in one piece from sheet metal. The bracket comprises arms 16 and 17 which extend at right angles to each other. The arm 16 is in the form of a right angled triangle with the top out ofif. The bracket 3 is positioned in the shelf corner as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 with the arm 16 fixed permanently as by spot welds 18 to the facing surface of flange 5. The arm 16 is normally oriented substantially normal to the vertical uprights 7, 8, 9 and 10 shown in FIGURE 4, and carries laterally extending ear means or hooks 12 and 13 from edge 22 which are received by and cooperatively secured by vertically spaced slots 19 and 20 on the vertical upright 7, the edge 22 fitting tightly against the surface of vertical upright 22. The remaining arm 17 of the bracket 3 provides increased supporting surface area along the longitudinal edge of the shelf which has already been stiffened to hear more weight with increased rigidity because of the downturned flange 5 and underturned flange 6. It can therefore be seen that the corner bracket 3 performs the function of securing the shelf to the vertical uprights and also adding to the sturdiness of the assembly by providing more supporting surface area along the longitudinal edges of the shelf.

Where it is desired to use thin gauge sheet metal for manufacturing shelves which are adjustably supported by vertical uprights, there is a requirement that the shelves should not bow in the middle when relatively heavy objects are placed thereon. While the previously discussed arrangements aid primarily in preventing bowing along the length of the shelf, that is, its longitudinal axis L which is most important since of longer dimension and therefore supporting more weight, it has been found desirable to prevent bowing along the transverse axis or depth D of the shelf, and means to accomplish this purpose are provided for by end bracket 2 shown in FIG- URE 8.

End bracket 2 is positioned between the vertical support members 7 and 9 which support the ends of the shelf. The ears 10 and 11 are positioned through slots 24 and 25 in vertical upright 7 in interlocked engagement with the vertical upright 7. correspondingly the ears at the other end of end bracket 2 are positioned in similar fashion in slots of upright 9 and another end bracket 2 is placed in similar fashion in uprights 8 and 10 at the other end of shelf 1. The end bracket 2 is placed so that flange 14 extends in and under lip of 15 of shelf land thereby supports the lip along the major portion of its length which extends between'the uprights (see FIGURE 9). The edges 21 extend along the inside surfaces of the uprights 7 and 9 thereby adding to the rigidity of the structure since assuring against movement of the uprights 7 and 9 such as by bowing of a shelf along the transverse axis D, al-

though bowing as a cause of movement of the uprights and unsturdiness is less likely. to occur because of the flange 14 supporting the shelf lip 15. Flange 23 increases the strength of end bracket 2 along its length. If it is desired to add on another set of shelves along the longitudinal axis, then an additional set of uprights is needed and when it is desired to place the shelf of the next set at the same level, then end brackets 2 are placed back to back, the thickness of the ear portions 10 and 11 permitting the insertion of the thickness of a pair of earportions through a single slot 19 or 20 in the mutually supporting uprights. The uprights 7, 8, 9 and 10v shown in cross section in FIG- URE are comprised of square tubing, however the uprights may be formed of a pair of U shaped members tightly fitted as shown in perspective in FIGURE 6 and again in cross section in FIGURE 7 in order to provide ease of manufacture with regard to the process of producing clean slots.

FIGURE 9 shows in perspective the arrangement of an assembly on the vertical upright 7, using numerals of corresponding parts of the structure showing in detail how the assembly is fitted together around a single vertical upright, however the arrangement would be assembled in similar fashion with respect to the remaining uprights 8, 9, and shown in FIGURE 4. Many combinations are possible with sections arranged side by side or in tandem-as desired.

Shelves 1, corner brackets 3, and end brackets 2 were formed from 24 gauge sheet steel in manufacturing a section of vertically adjustable shelving assembly in accordance with the, teachings. of the presentinvention, and the novel shelving arrangement provided a high degree of sturdiness and freedom from buckling with relatively.

heavy loads applied to the center of the shelf or on the edges of the shelves.

It will be.understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements, and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. Adjustable metal shelving comprising a plurality of sheet metal shelves supported by vertical uprights at the corners of said shelves, said shelves having downturned flanges along their longitudinal edges, said flanges being formed at right angles to the main surface portion of said shelves, said shelves having corner brackets which have first and second arms extending at right angles to each other, said first arms of said corner brackets extend ing along and under areas of the main surface portions of said shelves adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof thereby providing support therefor, said second arms of said corner brackets being positioned'against said downturned flanges so that the edge formed by said first and second arms engages and extends along the inside edge of said shelf formed bysaid main body portion and said downturned flanges, said second arms being permanently affixed to said downturned flanges, said second arms having hooks extending from an edge thereof which are arranged to pass through corresponding slots in said vertical uprights thereby supporting said sheet metal shelves from said vertical uprights, said vertical uprights being tubular and of square cross section, said edges of said second arms being arranged to be flush against a side surface of said tubular'uprights, said shelves having a lip extending from the main body portion at both longitudinal ends thereof, each pair of vertical uprights located at longitudinal ends of a shelf having an end bracket detachably positioned between said pairs of vertical uprights, said end brackets having a horizontal flange extending under and in supporting relationship with said lips extending from said main body portions of said shelves.

2. Adjustable metal shelving according to claim 1 wherein each said end bracket has edges which extend along the inside surfaces of said pairs of vertical uprights.

3. Adjustable metal shelving according to claim 1 wherein said horizontal flange supports said lip along the major portion of the length of said lip which extends between said pairs of vertical uprights.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 966,002 8/1910 Fricke 108-107' 1,062,759 5/1913 Beecher 108107 1,376,835 5/1921 Shiek 1 08114 1,411,260 4/1922 Baker et a1. 108107 1,814,090 7/1931 Mically 108109 2,653,783 9/1953 Lindsay 248-243 2,772,846 12/1956 Skar 211l48 2,940,601 6/1960 Smith l08153 2,998,107 8/1961 Zimmerla 108-108 3,100,572 8/1963 Gingher et a1 108-1 14 3,102,499 9/1963 Shelor 108108 FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. ADJUSTABLE METAL SHELVING COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SHEET SHELVES SUPPORTED BY VERTICAL UPRIGHTS AT THE CORNERS OF SAID SHELVES, SAID SHELVES HAVING DOWNTURNED FLANGES ALONG THEIR LONGITUDINAL EDGES, SAID FLANGES BEING FORMED AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE MAIN SURFACE PORTION OF SAID SHELVES, SAID SHELVES HAVING CORNER BRACKETS WHICH HAVE FIRST AND SECOND ARMS EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER, SAID FIRST ARMS OF SAID CORNER BRACKETS EXTENDING ALONG AND UNDER AREAS OF THE MAIN SURFACE PORTIONS OF SAID SHELVES ADJACENT THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES THEREOF THEREBY PROVIDING SUPPORT THEREFOR, SAID SECOND ARMS OF SAID CORNER BRACKETS BEING POSITIONED AGAINST SAID DOWNTURNED FLANGES SO THAT THE EDGE FORMED BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND ARMS ENGAGES AND EXTENDS ALONG THE INSIDE EDGE OF SAID SHELF FORMED BY SAID MAIN BODY PORTION AND SAID DOWNTURNED FLANGES, SAID SECOND ARMS BEING PERMANENTLY AFFIXED TO SAID DOWNTURNED FLANGES, SAID SECOND ARMS HAVING HOOKS EXTENDING FROM AN EDGE THEREOF WHICH ARE ARRANGED TO PASS THROUGH CORRESPONDING SLOTS IN SAID VERTICAL UPRIGHTS THEREBY SUPPORTING SAID SHEET METAL SHELVES FROM SAID VERTICAL UPRIGHTS, SAID VERTICAL UPRIGHTS BEING TUBULAR AND OF SQUARE CROSS SECTION, SAID EDGES OF SAID SECOND ARMS BEING ARRANGED TO BE FLUSH AGAINST A SIDE SURFACE OF SAID TUBULAR UPRIGHTS, SAID SHELVES HAVING A LIP EXTENDING FROM THE MAIN BODY PORTION AT BOTH LONGITUDINAL ENDS THEREOF, EACH PAIR OF VERTICAL UPRIGHTS LOCATED AT LONGITUDINAL ENDS OF A SHELF HAVING AN END BRACKET DETACHABLY POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF VERTICAL UPRIGHTS, SAID END BRACKETS HAVING A HORIZONTAL FLANGE EXTENDING UNDER AND IN SUPPORTING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID LIPS EXTENDING FROM SAID MAIN BODY PORTIONS OF SAID SHELVES. 